Nick Knowles dated Gemma Oaten for "less than a week" during a "turbulent, traumatic" time in his life.
Nick Knowles
The 'DIY SOS' host has been forced to defend himself after he came under fire when he reportedly dumped the former 'Emmerdale' star while they were in bed together and then got back together with his wife Jessica Moor, with whom he has two-year-old son Eddie, shortly afterwards.
Taking to his Twitter account on Sunday (16.10.16) after Gemma lashed out at him in a newspaper interview, he said: "Life is not about what happens to you, it's about how you deal with it. This year we faced a miscarriage, the break down of our marriage and cancer without being disrespectful about each other at any point. We are saddened for each other and for the sake of our young son that this is being played out so publicly.
"The story in today's paper is something that happened (in the space of less than one week) during a turbulent, traumatic time and more to the point - whilst we were separated. It is unfortunate we are having to relive it purely so someone can financially gain from exploiting our private life.
"With everything that's happened this year, even discussing this seems very trivial in comparison to what we have dealt with and are still dealing with. As always, our answer is united, as we are. We have enjoyed eight years as best friends and nothing will change that. (sic)"
Gemma, 32, immediately hit back: "I was forced to speak out, didn't want to, but I'm glad I've set the record straight. The small fee from today has been donated to charity."
The brunette beauty felt she had no choice but to reveal what had gone on between her and Nick last month as she was constantly being "painted in a bad light" and wanted to teach the presenter a lesson.
She explained: "One Sunday morning we were lying in bed and all these texts came through about us being photographed together. In an instant he completely changed. It was all about him and how it was going to affect his family. It was really cruel as he said it didn't matter for me."
Shortly after he called things off with Gemma, Nick rubbed salt in the wound when he uploaded photographs of him enjoying a romantic break away with Jessica in Lake Garda, Italy.
Nick announced he and Jessica had split in January following four years of marriage.
However, he admitted he and his beautiful wife had grown close again earlier this month after they leant on one another when she found out she had cervical cancer.
As well as son Eddie with Jessica, the 54-year-old presenter also has three children Tuesday, Tyrian and Charlie from a previous relationship.
Tagged in Nick Knowles Gemma Oaten